10.3.4. Infrared Radiation and Electrical Heating

Used in cold climates or where conventional methods are not practical. • Infrared lamps or electric resistance wires are installed near or around the concrete.

This method involves using infrared lamps or electric resistance wires installed close to the concrete being cured. It is particularly beneficial in cold climates where traditional curing techniques might not be effective. The infrared radiation emitted by these lamps or wires heats the surface of the concrete, promoting hydration and helping to achieve the desired strength.

Imagine you are trying to warm up your hands on a cold winter day. Instead of holding them in a cold room, you stand under a warm lamp that gives off heat. This lamp speeds up the warming process without directly exposing your hands to cold air. Similarly, infrared lamps heat up the concrete effectively, ensuring that it cures properly even in a cold environment.

• Used for floorings, bridge decks, or cold weather concreting.

Infrared radiation and electrical heating are typically employed in applications like flooring and bridge decks, as well as in situations where the weather conditions are cold. These applications require the concrete to cure efficiently to develop adequate strength and durability, which might not be achievable using conventional curing methods like water curing in freezing temperatures.

Consider a chef trying to bake a cake on a cold day. If they rely on the oven alone without preheating, the cake might not rise properly. But if they warm up the oven first (like using infrared heating), the cake can bake evenly and rise as it should. Just like the cake needs warm conditions to bake correctly, concrete needs to be kept warm to cure effectively in cold conditions.

• Requires monitoring to avoid overheating or thermal cracks.

When using infrared radiation and electrical heating, it's essential to monitor the curing process closely. This is because excessive heat can lead to overheating of the concrete, which can cause thermal cracks. Monitoring helps ensure that the temperature is kept within acceptable limits to allow for effective curing without damaging the concrete.

Think about how you might use a space heater in a small room. If you leave it on too high for too long, it could overheat the room and become uncomfortable, or even lead to a fire risk. Similarly, in concrete curing with infrared or electrical methods, keeping an eye on the temperature is crucial to prevent any adverse effects on the concrete.

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